No rift with David Moyes over Wayne Rooney, says Roy Hodgson

Updated: 10 August 2013 18:50 IST

Wayne Rooney had said this: "Big thanks to Roy Hodgson for selecting me and showing his faith and support, appreciate it." British newspaper reports on Saturday speculated that the comments could be interpreted as a back-handed dig at Moyes, but Hodgson says the new United manager is happy about Rooney's call-up.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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London:

England coach Roy Hodgson said on Saturday that his decision to select unsettled striker Wayne Rooney for next week's friendly with Scotland will not upset Manchester United manager David Moyes.

Rooney is reportedly concerned about his future at United and has been the subject of two failed transfer bids from Chelsea during the close season.

The 27-year-old has not played a minute of United's pre-season campaign due to hamstring and shoulder injuries, but he was still named in Hodgson's squad for Wednesday's friendly against Scotland at Wembley.

The former Everton striker used his official Facebook page to thank Hodgson, writing: "Can't wait to join up with the England squad and hopefully play in a competitive match, they always are against Scotland.

"Big thanks to Roy Hodgson for selecting me and showing his faith and support, appreciate it."

British newspaper reports on Saturday speculated that the comments could be interpreted as a back-handed dig at Moyes, but Hodgson says the new United manager is happy about Rooney's call-up.

"The only problem is that my selection of him could be used as a wedge between David Moyes and myself," he told Sky Sports News.

"There's not going to be any wedges put between us two. We've been friends for a very long time. David understands fully the situation.

"David knows what we have in mind and unfortunately we just have to accept that there'll be some opinions on the subject and that people will try to drive wedges, but it's wrong to do so."

Gary Neville, Rooney's former United team-mate and a member of the England coaching staff, does not believe the speculation concerning the player's future will have a negative impact within the England camp.

"It'll have no effect whatsoever on the England squad," he said.

"I've played with Wayne Rooney for many years and I've been coach with England for the last year and a half.

"I've never seen him give anything other than 100 per cent in every single training session and it's an insult to suggest he would have any negative effect on any England squad."